Electric range



April 8, 1941.

J. L. SHROYER 223 7.795

ELECTRIC RANGE Filed Dec. 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fi gl.

Inventor Jacob J. Shrogen is Att. orne g.

J. L. SHROYER ELECTRIC RANGE April 8, 1941.

Filed Dec. 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2..

HTITF T I F H HHI I h L &

Inventor: Jacob L. Shrqger,

Hi5 Attorneg.

April 8, 1941.

J. L. SHROYER ELECTRIC RANGE Filed Dec. 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ihven tor- Jacob L ShTHeT,

His Attorney.

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 7 ELECTRIC RANGE Jacob L. Shroyer, Oak P son General Electric corporated, Chicago, York ark, IlL, assignor to Edi- Appliance Company, In- III., a corporation of New Application DecemberZl, 1937, Serial No. 181,014

5 Claims.

This invention relates to electric ranges, and it has for its object the provision of an improved device of this character.

While not limited thereto, this invention is particularly applicable to heavy duty electric ranges such as used in hotels, restaurants, ships and the like, and it has for its object the provision of a general utility range of this character which is provided with quick heating, high temperature surface heating units, surface hot plates and griddles, and an oven. This invention contemplates a range of this character which is relatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, convenient and easy to use, and which is easily kept in proper working order and in a clean condition.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an electric range embodying this invention, parts being broken away so as to illustrate certain details of construction; Fig, 2 is a plan view of the electric range of Fig. 1 with parts broken away so as to illustrate certain details of construction; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section taken through the line 55 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views illustrating oven and top plate sections used in the electric range of Figs. 1-5 inclusive.

Referring to the drawings, this invention has been shown in one form as applied to an electric range of the heavy duty type having a cooking top plate section III and an oven section II below it. It is to be understood that the parts I and II are separable and each may be used independently of the other, but in the form of the invention illustrated the two parts are shown as incorporated in the same range structure, the cooking top I0 being placed upon and supported by the oven section I I.

The cooking top section I 0 comprises a compartment defined by a pair of side walls I2, 9. rear wall l3, a top plate I4, and a front wall formed by a series of panels I; in the specific cooking section l0 disclosed there are three front panels I5. The side and rear walls are provided at the bottom with intumed flanges I2a and I3a.

The top plate I4 is provided with a relatively large rectangular opening I6 through which the heating or cooking elements I 1 (Fig. 7) are received. The cooking elements I 'I in the form of the invention shown in the drawings comprise two high temperature, quick heating elements I8, two lower temperature hot plates l9 and a relatively large heavy duty griddle 20. All of these elements are removable, and it is to be understood that their proportions are such that they may be interchanged one for the other. For example, the griddle 20 may be dispensed with and in its place there may be used two high speed surface units I8, or two hot plates I9, or one of one and one of the other. Moreover, if desired, one each of the elements l8 and I9 may be eliminated and a very large griddle used in place of them and of the smaller griddle 20. Preferably, the heating members l8 and I9 will be substantially square.

Each high speed, high temperature heating element I8 comprises a ly, a pair of sheathed heating elements 2| and 22 supported on a grid 23 which in turn is supported by a top plate 24. The top plate 24 is provided with an opening 25 in which the heating elements 2| and 22 are received, and at this opening 25 there is a down-turned flange 26 on the top plate 24. This down-turned flange is provided with longer depending tabs 21 in which the ends of the grids 23 are received. The plate 24 is provided at its peripheral edges with a down-turned flange 21 which functions to support the top plate and the heating elements mounted in it. The down-turned flange 21 is mounted upon brackets 28 at their front corners; these brackets are rigidly secured to a flange Ifia extending downwardly from the top plate I4 around the opening I6. At the rear sections of the heating units I8, as well as at the front, the down-turned flanges 21 rest upon beams 29 extending cross-wise of the range from side to side and spaced at intervals from the front to the rear, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The heating elements 2| and 22 may be of any suitable type, but preferably will be of the sheathed type such as described and claimed in United States patent to C. C. Abbott No. 1,367,- 341, dated February 1, 1921. Briefly, these heating elements comprise a resistance conductor (not shown) mounted in a metallic sheath 30 (Fig. 4), and supported in spaced relation with reference to the sheath by a suitable powdered heat-conducting, electrically-insulating material (also "not shown). Terminal sections 3| of the heater are brought out laterally from the unit plurality, more specifical-.

I8, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and in the ends of these sections suitable terminals 3la are mounted. To these terminals suitable electrical supply leads 32 are connected. In order to protect the terminals 3|a and the leads 32 and the electrical connections between these members from the grease, liquids and the like drippage from vessels placed on the range, the terminal sections 3| are directly upwardly and thence downwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This prevents grease and liquids from running along the sheathed heater to its terminals. As a further protection, the sheathed heaters are provided with washers or baflles 33 adjacent their ends to intercept any grease or ligpid which might possibly run along the heaters.

In addition, each of the heating elements I8 is provided with a reflecting pan 34 which houses the heating elements 2| and 22 as well as the grids 23, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The reflecting pan is provided with a bottom'wall 35 in which there is a centrally arranged depressed section 36 having its bottom sloping to the center where a drain opening 31 is provided. This pan at one edge is provided with a cut-away section 38 through which the terminal ends 3| of the heater project laterally from the heating element. The reflector 34 rests upon the supporting beams 29 which are provided with cutaway sections 39 (Figs. 2 and 4) to receive the reflector, as clearly shown.

It will be observed in view of the foregoing construction that the heating elements 2| and 22 with their grid 23 and top 24 may be removed from the top of the range, and so also may the reflector 34 so that these elements can be conveniently cleaned and replaced.

The reflectors may be conveniently removed by tilting up the edges of the heating elements at their terminal edges on the brackets 28 and then withdrawing the reflectors laterally, the brackets 28 constituting auxiliary supporting means provided for this purpose. The leads 32, as shown, are sufficiently long to permit the heating elements I8 to be elevated a sufficient distance from the cooking top to provide room for cleansing them. If desired the flange 21 on the plate 24 may be provided with extensions 21a (Figs. 2 and 4) opposite the terminal side of the heating element.and arranged to closely fit opposite sides of the beams 29. This holds the heating element in place.

The hot plate I9 comprises a rectangular mass 40 formed of any suitable heat conducting material, such as cast iron. This mass is provided with a ground and polished cooking surface 4| (Fig. 4). Cast within the body 4|] are one or more sheathed heating elements 42 of substantially the same type described above in connection with the heating plate I8. The plates |9 also are supported on the brackets 28 and 29, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Here also, the terminal ends 42a of the heating elements 42 are directed upwardly and then downwardly to protect the terminals 43, and here also, the heaters preferably will be provided with intercepting bafiles 44 to further protect these terminals. Leads 44a similar to the leads 32 are connected to the terminals 43.

as described in connection with the plates I8 and I9, and they are connected to suitable leads 46a. The griddle 29, however, is provided with a grease"'trough 41 extending along its sides and front, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The grease and liquids draining off of the griddle during the cooking operations collect in this trough and drain through a discharge spout 48. Arranged within the compartment of the top cooking section is a greased drawer 49 which collects the discharge from the spout 48. The drawer 49 slides in a guideway or slide 59, and as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 7, is accessible at the front of the range. As shown in these figures, this drawer may be withdrawn through the righthand panel I5 so that it may be emptied and replaced.

The beams 29 are supported at their ends by U-shaped brackets 5| which at their upper ends are directed through openings provided for them in elongated brackets 52 secured to the side walls I2 in any suitable manner, as by welding. On the upper ends of the legs of the brackets 5| are nuts 5|a (Fig. 2) which are turned in tightly to hold the beams 29 in place.

Mounted within the front wall panels I5 of the top cooking section are four switches 53 for controlling the four heating elements I8 and I9. Also there is a switch 54 for controlling the energization of the griddle 20. Preferably, the switches 53 are of the multiple position type arranged to control the heating elements of the plates I8 and I9 to provide high, low and medium heats. The griddle 20 is further controlled by means of a thermostat 55 to hold a substantially constant selected temperature in the griddle. This thermostat may be of any suitable type, such as the bulb and bellows type. The bulb 56 of this thermostat is shown in Fig. 3 embedded in the heating mass 45 of the griddle.

The electrical supply leads 44a of the rear plates I9 and the leads 46a of the griddle are directed forwardly from the rear of the upper cooking compartment to the front where the switches are located through a conduit 51 (Figs. 1, 2 and 7). The rear leads 44a and 46a are supported in insulating clips 58 attached to the rear wall I3 of the cooking compartment, while the leads 32 at the front are supported by insulating clips 59. These clips 59 are attached to a cross beam 69 that is supported at its opposite ends on brackets 600. (Fig. 1) attached to the side walls of the cooking section.

Mounted in the bottom and at the front of the upper compartment I9 is a transverse member 6| which has several functions among which are to secure the lower ends of the panels I5, and to support a cut-out or fuse structure used in the cooking sections. The member 6| at its ends is provided with end walls 62 (Fig. 1) that are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the end walls I2 of the top section. The member 6| is provided at its top with a horizontal wall 63 which in turn at its forward end has a downturned flange 64, over which the lower hooklike ends of the two outside panels I5 are fitted, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The upper ends of these outer panels are attached to brackets 65 by means of screws 66. The brackets 65 are attached to the cross beam in any suitable manner, as by welding.

Also mounted on the top wall 63 of the front member 6| is a suitable fuse or cut-out box 67 for the cooking elements I8, I9 and 20 which is arranged in the center of the cooking section back of the center panel ii. The cut-out box 81 is mounted on a supporting bracket 81a which in turn is secured directly to the top wall 63 by means of a pair of spaced arms I, one of which is shown in plan in Fig. 2. The center panel l opposite the fuse box is hinged at its bottom to the member 6| and is bised to its closed position by means of a spring 89.

In order to protect the switches 53 and 54 and the cut-out 81 from an abnormal temperature rise, I provide in the compartment of section l0 suitable baflles I0 and II between them and the high temperature zone below the heating elements l8, l9 and 20. The bafiles II, as shown in Fig. 3, are located at the front of the high temperature zone directly below the heating elements, and are positioned angularly to the vertical, that is, downwardly toward the rear, in such a way as to tend to pocket the hot air in this zone to prevent its free circulation toward the front where the switches and cutout are located. It further functions to shut off radiation from these heating elements l8 l9 and 20 in the direction of the switches and cut-out. The second set of baflles 10 also is inclined downwardly toward the rear, and also acts as an insulating barrier to assist the baiile H to prevent the direct radiation of heat to the switches and cut-out; and in addition, it cooperates with the battles H to localize a second lower temperature heat zone between the high temperature zone and the switches and cut-out; that is, these baffles also function to prevent a secondary circulation of air in the front portion of the upper cooking section. The baiiies II are supported directly from the adjacent cross-beam 29, while the baflies 10 are supported on arms 12 (Figs. 2 and 3) that are mounted on the top wall 63 of the member 8!. that the baffles 10 and their supporting arms 12 are substantially separated from the supporting structure 810, 08 that mount the cut-out 61, the only connection between these members being through the top wall 83.

In addition to the baflles which prevent radiation and the circulation of hot air to the switches and cut-out, suitable means are provided for directing cooling air into the upper cooking section over the switches and cut-out and through the section to keep the section at a moderately low temperature. The ventilating system comprises an elongated ventilating opening 13 in the transverse member 6| through which the cooling air may enter the top plate cooking section. The air that enters the opening 13 may take several paths: It may pass directly upwardly over the switches 53 and 54 and the cut-out 61 to the upper part of the front section where it is discharged through louvers 14 provided in the upper part of the panels I, as indicated by the arrows a; if desired the front panels may also be provided with lower louvers 15 through which cooling air may enter at the bottom and flow into the stream a. A second path b for the cooling air is back to the rear of the upper top plate cooking section where it is discharged at the top through a discharge hood 16. This second path, as shown, directs the cooling air back under the baflles I0 and {H and under the cooking elements [8, i9 and'20 to the rear for discharge through the hood. This second path maintains a reasonably low temperature within It will be observed the upper section. The cooling air in path a at the front may also discharge through an opening at the top between the upper edges of the front panels 15 and the top plate ll. Preferably, the top plate will be provided with a lower downwardly extending flange H to conceal this opening. Moreover, as clearly shown in the drawings, the bafiies 10 are spaced apart; and the succeeding baflles from the front to the rear extend closer to the bottom of the compartment so that part of the air stream entering the front of the compartment impinges on the lower ends of the battles and is caused thereby to flow upwardly through the spaces between the baffles, as indicated by the arrows c. This further thermally insulates the switches and cutout from the hotter zones of the compartments.

Arranged within the top section and below the heating elements i8, I9 and 20, and the grease drawer 49 is a large shallow drip pan or drawer 18 which may be withdrawn forwardly of the range through the opening I3 provided in the transverse member 6!. The pan l8 is.provided at the sides with guides 19 attached to the side walls [2 of the top section, and at the front is provided with a transverse handle 80. The handle is of battle-like form, as shown, inclined downwardly from the member 6| and over-hanging the oven section II. The handle acts as a bafile or shield to deflect hot gases rising from the oven outwardly away from the ventilating opening 13 through which the cooling air enters the top section.

The tray 18 is thermally insulated from the switches 53 and cut-out 61. The tray, as shown, terminates at the front substantially at the bafiie 10. In other words, it does not extend completely to the front of the top section, but terminates at a point well back of the switches 53 and cutout 61. The tray is connected to the handle 80 by means of relatively small spaced straps 8|. The bottom of the pan 18 is subjected to rather intense radiation from the heating elements and attains a relatively high temperature. But it does not impart heat to the switches and cutout inasmuch as its front end terminates short of these members. The relatively small straps 8| connecting the pan to its handle 80 cannot conduct any substantial amount of heat from the hot pan to the switch, cut-out section.

The oven section II is substantially of boxlike form having an outer lining defined by top and bottom walls 82 and 83, side walls 84, an end wall 85 and a front wall 86. The oven chamber 81 has top and bottom walls 88 and 89, side walls 90, and a rear wall 9| spaced from the corresponding top, bottom, side and end walls of the outer section. Preferably, a second rear wall 92 will be provided for the oven spaced outwardly from the first so as to leave a space 92a at the rear of the oven. A layer of heat insulating material 93 is placed around the oven chamber 81.

At the front, the oven chamber is closed by a door 94 which is hinged at the bottom to swing outwardly to an open position. At the top, the door is provided with a handle 95. The door is provided with inner and outer complementary linings 96 and 91 which are fitted together and secured in any suitable manner. At the bottom, the door is mounted on shafts 98 which are mounted in brackets 99. The door is counter-balanced and held in its closed position by means of a spring I00 attached at one end to an anchor l0! and at its opposite end to a flexible strap :92 which is directed over an idler pulley I03 and attached to one side of a quadrantshaped bracket I04. This bracket is attached to charged through the hood I6.

the right-hand shaft 98 of the door, as viewed in Fig. 1. When the door is moved from its closed position of Fig. 5 to its open dotted-line position of this figure, the bracket I04 is moved to its dotted-line position, and when it does so, it tensions the spring I to counter-balance the door as it moves to the open position. Conversely, when the door is moved to its closed position it is counter-balanced and is held in its closed position by the tension of the spring I00.

Upper and lower heating elements I and I08 are provided in the oven. An oven rack I0l is interposed between these heating elements and at the bottom a deck I08 is provided over the lower heating element. The heating elements are provided at the rear with terminals I09 which are received in sockets I 0. The energization of the two heating eleme s is controlled by means of switches III, and the oven temperature is controlled by means of a thermostat having an adjusting knob II2 accessible at the front of the oven. As shown. the switches III and the temperature control knob II2 are located at the right-hand end of the oven, as viewed in Figs. 1

and 7, and under these members is a door I3 hinged at the bottom and biased to .its closed position by a spring II4. Back of this door are located the protective fuses or cut-outs for the oven. The electrical supply leads for the oven are directed through an opening I I5 (Fig. 6) in the bottom wall 83 of the oven, and when the top section I0 is placed upon the oven, as shown in the drawings, the supply leads for the upper cooking sections are also directed upwardly through the opening II5. Those for the upper section are passed out of the oven section through its top wall 82 through an opening IIB (Fig. 6) which is provided by forcing outwardly a knock out II'I. An opening H8 is provided in the top section that registers with the opening I I6 and through which the supply leads are directed into the conduit 51 of the upper section.

The top section is provided with feet II9 which are received in knock outs I provided for them in the oven section to locate the top section in proper position on the lower.

The vertical space 92a back of the oven heating chamber is ventilated by cooling air which enters the bottom through openings (not shown) in the bottom wall 83 and which passses freely upwardly and out at the top through openings I2 I. These openings discharge directly into the top section where the ventilating air is dis- The oven is vented through a ventilating tube I22 which at its lower end is connected with the oven, and at its upper end with an opening I23 which also communicates with the ventilating system of the top section. A damper I24 is provided in this fiue and is controlled by means of a rod I25 which extends forwardly to the front of the oven where an operating'knob I26 is provided.

The specific structure of the heating elements I1 involving improvements in the terminal structure, the reflectors, and the means for supporting the heating elements and reflectors is described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 237,518, filed October 28, 1938, which application is a division of this application.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electric range having a top. plate and heating elements in said top plate, controlling elements for said heating elements located at the front of and below said top plate, a metallic drip tray below said heating elements having its front edge terminating considerably to the rear of and below said controlling elements so that heat imparted to said drip tray from said heating elements is not radiated and conveyed to said controlling elements, a handle for said tray below said controlling elements accessible at the front of said top plate, and relatively low heat conducting members connecting said handle with said tray.

2. In an electric range having a top plate and heating elements in said top plate, controlling elements for said heating elements located at the front of and below said top plate, a. metallic drip tray below said heating elements having its front edge terminating considerably to the rear of and below said controlling elements so that heat imparted to said drip tray from said heating elements is not radiated and conveyed to said controlling elements, a vertically arranged baflie at said front edge between the heating and controlling elements, a handle for said tray below said controlling elements accessible at the front of said top plate, and relatively low heat conducting straps connecting said handle with said tray.

3. An electric range comprising a top plate heating section having a compartment and heating plates located in the top wall of said compartment, an oven section below said top plate section having an oven opening at the front, a door closing said oven, said top plate section hav ing an opening for the admission of cooling air at the front over said oven section, and a baflle over said oven door to deflect hot gases from said oven away from said opening.

4. An electric range comprising a top plate heating section having a compartment and heating plates located in the top wall of said compartment, an oven section below said top plate section having an oven opening at the front, a door closing said oven, said top plate section having an opening for the admission of cooling air at the front over said oven structure, a drip tray in said compartment below said heating elements sliding outwardly and inwardly through said front opening, and a bafile-like handle for said tray projecting outwardly over said oven opening to deflect hot gases from said oven away from said air admission opening.

5. A range comprising a cooking top section having top, bottom, side, front and rear walls constructed and arranged to define a compartment, heating means supported in said top wall, controlling elements for said heating means mounted in the front of said compartment back of said front wall, baflies in said compartment shielding said controlling elements from heat radiation from said heating means, said baflies being spaced apart sufiiciently far to define a high temperature zone under said heating means and a second relatively wide lower temperature zone between said first-mentioned zone and said controlling elements, one of said bafiles extending downward in said compartment at substantially the forward end of the high temperature zone and being connected to the top wall of the compartment in such manner as to completely prevent passage or air between high and lower temperature zones over the top of said baflie and being spaced from the bottom wall of said compartment, the remaining battles being spaced from both the top and the bottom walls of said compartment, openings in said front wall of said compartment above and below said controlling elements, and an opening at the rear 01' said compartment, the compartment being otherwise 6 substantially closed to the flow of air.

JACOB L. SHROYER.

I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,257,795. April 19in.

JACOB L. SHROYER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the'above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 9, for the word "directly" read directed same page, 360- 0nd column, line 10, for "greased" read -grease; page 5-, first column, line 7, for "bised" read -biased; pageh, first column,- lines 59 and 1 .O, for "knock out" read --"1mo,ck out"--;.-line 1 .5, for knock outsf read --"1mock outs"-; line 11.7, for "lower" read. -oven-; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the seine may conform to the record of the case in' the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of May, A. D. 19in.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal Acting Commissioner of Patents.

4 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,257,795 W April 8, 191;.1.

JACOB L. SHROIER.

It is hereby ,certified that error appears in the printed specification of the'above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 9, for the word "directly" read directed-; same page, sec 0nd column, line 10, for "greased" read -grease--; page 5; first column, line 7, for bised" read --biased-; page h, first column, lines 59 and 140, for "knock out" read -"kno ck out";1-1ine [1.5, for "block outsf' read --"knock outs"--; 11mm, for "lower" read. -oven--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may con form to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Sigmed and sealed this 27th day of May, A. D.

Henry Van Qrsdale (Seal) Acting Commi ssi oner of Patent s 

